Stapling machine



March 1l, 1941.

w. scHAFRoTH 2,234,808

STAPLING MACHINE Filed NOV. l5, 1958 6 Shets-Sheek 1 INVENTOR. U @EcHAFeoT/f M March 11, 1941. w. scHAx-Rom $52,234,808

STAPLING MACHINE INVENTOR.

e Sheets-sheet 25 W. SCHAFROTH STAPLING MACHINE Filed Nov. l5, 19387 mum.

i March 11 INVENTOR. zA/EZ 5cm/feo f/ ATTORNEY.

n vusvllsv Illano LA, |111 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE STAPLING MACHINEApplication November 15, 1938, Serial No. 240,460

58 Claims.

This invention has to do with stapling machines and is concernedprimarily with that type of machine which performs its staplingoperations from one face of the material being stapled without requiringany substantial support on the opposite face.

In the patent to Schafroth, No. 2,080,634, dated May 18, 1937, there isillustrated and described a stapling machine the broad principles ofoperation of which are followed in the machine of this invention; thegeneral object of this invention being to provide improvements in thevarious phases of operation of such a stapling machine.

A stapling machine of the type with which this invention is concernedincludes, as characteristic elements, a pair of penetrating anvils thatare actuated by suitable operating instrumentalities and guided byappropriate cam devices to pierce the material being stapled and havethe anvils assume a position whereby driving of the staple thereagainstwill eiect a clinching of the staple legs.

Due to the complex nature of the movement which is imparted to thepenetrating anvils during their piercing operations it is necessary toprovide plates formed with cam grooves to provide the required guidingaction. In View of the fact that the staple itself closely follows themovement of the penetrating anvils, the presence of the cam grooves inthe plates has been found to create a strongly noticeable likelihood ofthe staple catching thereon, thus causing a jamming of the machine.

With this condition in mind the invention has in View, as a highlyimportant objective, the provision of a stapling machine of thecharacter above noted which is provided with means for preventing thestaple catching on the cam grooves in the cam plates.

More in detail this invention has in view, as a further objective, theprovision of a stapling machine of the type noted which includes amovable guide plate, together with associated operatinginstrumentalities, that causes the plate to be moved into positioncovering the cam grooves over the path of movement of the staple afterthe penetrating anvils have pierced the material and assumed theirultimate position, and prior to the driving of the staple.

Associated with this phase of the stapling machine is an extremelyimportant objective which aims at the provision of a machine in whichthe operations of the penetrating anvils, staple guide plate and stapledriving mechanism are accurately and positively synchronized so as toinsure of proper operation of the machine.

Another somewhat more detailed object of the invention is the provision,in a stapling machine of the character above noted, of an improved 5 camdevice for guiding the movement of the penetrating anvils. In view ofthe necessity for such movement to be accurately and positively guided,the invention contemplates an arrangement in which two cam plates arearranged in spaced relationship with the cam grooves therein receivingthe pins on the penetrating anvils.

Yet another object is associated with this phase of the invention anddeals with the pro-rn Vision of novel and improved driving connectionsbetween the penetrating anvils and the operating instrumentalitiestherefor.

Bearing in mind the need for accurately timing the operations of thepenetrating anvils, staple guide plate and staple driving mechanism, andalso considering the need of rendering handy the operation of themachine under conditions of practical usage, the invention has in View,as a further objective, the provision of novel and improved operatinginstrumentalities for these parts. Along this line a further object ofthe inventicn is the provision, in a staplng machine, of such operatinginstrumentalities which include, as a characteristics feature, a cookingdevice that may be operated to set up required tension on springs in theoperating instrumentalities, and which has associated therewith triggermechanism for causing the operation of the operating instrumentalitiesin their proper sequential order. Important features and advantages ofthe invention are associated with the carrying out of these objectivesin a practical embodiment.

In order to meet present day conditions prevailing -in the manufactureof cardboard cartons, and other similar packages which are intended tobe closed by the stapling machine of this invention, and particularly inview of the toughness of the materials which must be pierced in order tocarry out the stapling operations it is necessary that the operatinginstrumentalities of the machine be eifective to drive the penetratinganvils and the staple driving mechanism with extremely high velocity.

The creation of these high velocities gives rise to the setting up of alarge number of sharp shocks and jars, which, if taken up by the machinealone, greatly reduces the service life thereof.

Accordingly the invention has in view, as a highly important objective,the provision of ,an

arrangement in which the material being operated upon (such as the flapsof a corrugated cardboard carton) takes up a large portion of the shocksand jars which are an inevitable incident to the operation of themachine.

Accordingly the invention has in view, as a further detailed objective,the provision, in a stapling machine of the character above noted, of ashock absorber plate which is associated with the operatinginstrumentalities for the penetrating anvils under an arrangement inwhich it is adapted to engage the material being stapled coincident withthe driving of the anvils to transmit shocks and jars to the materialbeing stapled. With the shock absorber functioning coincident with theactuation of the penetrating anvils the material is compressed, whichcondition is noticeably helpful in the clinching of the staples, whichis carried out by the staple driving mechanism.

Yet another highly important object of the invention is the provision ofa novel and improved casing structure that is designed to house thevarious means, mechanisms and instrumentalities making up the machine ofthis invention.

More in detail the invention has in View the provision of a casingstructure which serves to operatively mount various parts of themechanisms included therein. The casing structure must be readilyassembled and disassembled as occasion demands, and an important phaseof the invention is the novel constructional features imparting theseproperties thereto. It is important that the casing structure be sodesigned that the machine may be readily manipulated and handled underconditions of practical usage.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of casingstructure for a stapling machine of the character above noted whichincludes indicating means for pointing out just Where the staple is tobe driven.

Another important object of the invention is to provide, in a staplingmachine of the character above noted, a novel and improved magazine forsupplying staples to the staple driving mechanism. An important featureof the invention is the provision, in the magazine, of means foryieldably holding a staple in position prior to the driving thereof bythe staple driving mechanism.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages such as arise inconnection with the building, design and operation of a stapling machinein accordance with the above noted objectives will in part becomeapparent, and in part be hereinafter stated, as the description of theinvention proceeds.

The invention, therefore, comprises a stapling machine including a pairof penetrating anvils, novel and improved cam plate structure forguiding the movements of said penetrating anvils, a movable staple guideplate adapted to cover the grooves in one of said cam plates over thepath of movement of a staple, staple driving mechanism, novel andimproved operating instrumentalities for driving said penetrating anvilsand staple driving mechanism, improved driving connections between thepenetrating anvils and the operating instrumentalities therefor, noveland improved cocking means for tensioning the springs in the operatinginstrumentalities, trigger mechanism for accurately timing theoperations and movements of the penetrating anvils, staple guide platesand staple driving mechanism, shock absorbing means for transferring theshocks and jars set up incident to operation of the penetrating anvilsto the material being stapled, which shock absorbing mechanism alsoconstitutes a means for compressing the material being stapled, a noveland improved magazine for supplying staples to the staple drivingmechanism; and novel and improved casing structure for housing thevarious means, mechanisms and instrumentalities, and which casingstructure is readily assemblable and disassemblable, and which includesindicating means for indicating the position of staples being driven.

For a full and more complete understanding reference may be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is aview in side elevation with parts broken away and shown in section of astapling machine made in accordance with the precepts of this invention,

Figure 2 is a section through a portion of the cooking handle,

Figure 3 is a front elevational showing of the front casing part,

Figure 4 is a section through the front casing part taken on a planenormal to the showing of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a rear elevational View of the front casing,

Figure 6 is a rear view of the rear casing part,

Figure '7 is a top plan View of the rear casing part,

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the rear casing part,

Figure 9 is a horizontal section through the rear casing part, per se,taken about on the plane represented by the line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken through the mechanism as assembledon the casing, bringing in the supporting legs, magazine and cocking armfragmentarily. In this view the linkage for actuating the penetratinganvils is omitted,

Figure 1l is a view looking from the front of the stapling machinemechanism with the casing removed. In this view certain parts areremoved and others broken away to more clearly bring out detailedfeatures of construction,

Figure 12 is a rear view of the mechanism with the casing removed,showing the penetrating anvils prior to any penetrating movement,

Figure 13 is a View similar to Figure 12, shcwing the position of thepenetrating anvils after they have pierced the material. In this viewthe guide plate has moved down into position covering the cam grooves ofthe cam plates,

Figure 14 is another View similar to Figures 12 and 13 with the stapledriving mechanism removed,

Figure 15 is a View similar to Figure 14 with the outer cam plate at therear and penetrating anvils removed,

Figure 16 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary view showing the staple asthe legs thereof are being guided by the anvils, while Figure 17 is asimilar view showing the staple in its clinched position,

Figure 18 is taken as a horizontal section through the rear casing partjust above the magazine and with the parts of the mechanism removed.This view is taken about on the plane represented by the line l8-I8 ofFigure l,

Figure 19 is a section through the magazine,

Figure 20 is an end View of the magazine,

Figure 21 is a detailed view in elevation of part of the triggermechanism per se,

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21 showing the mechanism aftermovement of the trigger` has been partly completed,

Figure 23 is another view similar to Figures 21 and22 showing themechanism after the trigger has been fully moved,

Figure 24 is an enlarged detailed View bringing out the arrangement ofthe holding pins included in the magazine,

Figure 25 is an enlarged detailed View developing the parts of one ofthe springs used for actuation of the staple driving mechanism in anexploded relationship,

Figure 26 shows the parts of the spring assembly in an assembledrelationship, and

Figure 27 is a detailed View in perspective of cam tensioning meansincluded in the operating instrumentalities for the penetrating anvilsand staple driving mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts, a stapling machine made in accordance with thisinvention comprises a casing structure, penetrating anvils and mechanismassociated therewith for causing the operative movements thereof, stapledriving mechanism and associated operating instrumentalities, cookingand trigger mechanism, a magazine, and shock absorbing and materialcompressing means. These various parts and assemblies are describedhereinafter in detail.

Casing structure The casing structure for housing the various means,mechanism and instrumentalities as shown in assembled relationship inFigure 1 is referred to generally by the reference character C. Thiscasing structure comprises a front part I l), as is shown in detail inFigures 3, 4 and 5, and the rear part II that is illustrated in Figures6, 7, 8 and 9.

The front part I0 may be made from any appriate material, although ithas been found that a metallic alloy that is susceptible of being castinto the required shape is particularly adaptable to practicalmanufacture. The ultimate structure of this part, as shown in thedrawings, is obtained by initial casting and subsequent machiningoperations.

The front part II] comprises a front wall I2 that is dened by a steppedconstruction terminating in an elongated central boss I3. It will benoted that this boss I3 is disposed at the lower part of the wall I2,and at the lower edge of the front wall I2 carries an indicator in theform of a sharp rib I4. This indicating rib I4 being accurately at thecenter of the front wall I2 indicates the location of the central partof the staple which is driven by the mechanism enclosed within thecasing.

At each side the front wall I2 terminates in side edges designated I5,through which extend openings I6 designed to receive fastening ele mentsas will hereinafter be pointed out. It is notable that the side edges I5terminate on the rear face of the front part IE) (as shown in Fig* ure5) in flat faces I1 which are disposed sub stantially in the same plane.The stepped structure of the front wall I2 is closed at the bottom bybottom wall I8 that is continued out beyond the plane of they faces Ilan appreciable distance, as shown in Figure 4; the portion whichprojects beyond the plane of the faces il being defined by sideshoulders I9 that, as shown in Figure 5, are spaced inwardly from theside edges I5 an appreciable distance, this for a purpose to behereinafter pointed out.

The plate I2 at the central boss i3 is also formed with an opening 20 inwhich is anchored a stud pin 2I (see Figure 4), the function of whichwill also be later described.

The central portion of the front wall I2 at the top is bent rearwardlyto form an overhanging canopy identified at 22 and integrally formed onthe upper side of this canopy, which is of a more or less dome-likeformation, with the front wall I2, is a handle 23. Depending downwardlyfrom the canopy 22 on each side are legs 24 having inner edge faces 25that are adapted to engage the rear part II as Will be later pointedout.

The structure of the canopy above the legs 24 is widened, as shown at25, to provide shoulders 21, which also engage the part II which will belater described.

The rear part II is also preferably made of the same metallic alloy asthe front part I0, and the construction thereof is achieved by initialcasting and subsequent machining operations.

Referring more particularly to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, this rear part Ilis shown as comprising a main central panel 28 which is connected byupraised bend portions 29 of somewhat U-shaped cross section with sidewalls 3i). At the bottom and on the exterior of the side walls 3B, eachof the latter carry an indicating rib 3l corresponding to the indicatorI4 on the front part I0. These indicating ribs 3| on the walls 3l] denea line on which the staple which is driven by the mechanism enclosed inthe casing, is driven.

At the bottom and at the forward edge which is remote from the centralpanel 28, each of the walls 30 carries an inwardly projecting foot 32.The foot 32 has a bottom wall 33 and a front wall 34 formed with anopening 35 to constitute a spring anchorage as will be later pointedout. The Walls 33 and 35 of the foot 32 terminate on an inner face 35that engages one of the shoulders I3 on the iront part IU when the twocasing parts are assembled.

The bend portions 29, which connect the cenn tral panel 28 and the sidewalls 30, are closed at the bottom by bottom wall portions 31 that areformed with openings 38 which will constitute spring anchorages as willbe later pointed out.

Extending through the side walls 3D, and preferr ably formed on theinner face, are undercut recesses 39 which constitute passages forreceiving fastening elements as will be later pointed out.

These passages 39 align with the openings I6 in the front part Ill whenthe casing parts are in their assembled relationship. Each of the walls30 is also formed with a passageway 40 similar to the passages 39 andspaced thereabove. These passages 40 do not nd any continuations in thefront part Il). At the bottom, each of the side walls 3l] is cut away toform a recess 4 I, which in effect, constitutes a thinning of the sidewall 3l) at the bottom.

The inner faces of each of the side walls 30 is formed with a pair ofgrooves 42 and 43 that are in parallel spaced relationship and alsosubstantially parallel to the plane of the central panel 2B. Thesegroovesl 42 and 43 extend from the upper edge of the recesses 4I throughthe passages 39 and 4U, as Well as recesses 44 to points where theyterminate short of the upper end of the side walls 3U. These side walls30, have front faces 45 which correspond to and engage with the faces Ilon the edge structures I2 of the front part IIl. The side walls 3B, aswell as the U-shaped con- Cil necting portions 29 are continued abovethe central panel, as shown at Figures 6 and 8, and terminate in topwall portions 46. Above the central panel 28 the bend portions 29 ateach side are flattened out to provide faces 41 that engage with theedge faces 25 and the legs 24 of the front part I0. 'I'hese faces 41terminate on the inner side at rearwardly extending anges 48. Each ofthese flanges 48 is formed with an upper opening 49 and a lower opening50, the purpose of which will be later described.

At this point it is noted that in order to assemble the parts I and II,the faces I1 of the part I0 are placed in engagement with the surfaces45 on the rear part II with the recesses dened by the legs 24 of thefront part IU disposed above the upper structure of the rear part II. Asthe front part Il) is moved downwardly, the legs 24 engage the anges 48at the same time that the edge faces 25 engage the faces 41. As downwardmovement is continued, the projecting portion of the bottom I8 of thefront part Ill, which is defined by the shoulders I9, is receivedbetween the feet 32, the shoulders I9 engaging the faces 36. When thisdownward movement has been completed, the top Walls 46 of the rear partII are in substantial engagement with the side edges of the canopy 22and the shoulders 21.

If the assembled relationship is to be established as permanent,appropriate fastening elements may be passed through the openings I6that are in alignment with the passages 39. Rivets, such as shown at inFigure 1, may be employed for this purpose.

Extending from the rear face of the central panel 28 is a lug 52 formedwith a transverse opening 53 for a purpose to be later described. Thepanel 28 is also formed in the lower portion thereof with a magazineopening 54 which is dened by sharp cut edges on three sides and abeveled edge at 55 on the fourth side. Extending rearwardly from thecentral panel 28 beneath the magazine opening 54 is a magazinesupporting flange 56 that is connected with the bend portions 29 on eachside by a web structure shown at 51. This supporting flange 56 is formedwith a rearwardly extending taby 58. This ange 56 is formed with acentral opening 59 and an opening at the side designated 68, while thetab 58 is formed with another opening 6I. The purpose of these openingswill be later set forth in detail.

Depending downwardly from the ange 56 and extending rearwardly from thecentral panel 28 at the lower edge thereof are spaced feet 62, each ofwhich is formed with a plurality of openings designed to constitutesupporting arm anchorages as will be later pointed out. These openingsare designated 63.

The central panel 28 is also formed with a desired number of openingsshown at 64, which are intended to be employed in anchoring a plateconstituting a part of the staple driving mechanism to the centralpanel. While this plate is not an actual part of the casing structure,it is shown in Figures '1, 8 and 9, and identified by the referencecharacter 65. The plate 65 is formed with openings corresponding to theopenings 64 in the central panel 28, and extending therethrough arefastening elements designated 66. This plate 65 has a main body portionof substantially the same rectangular formation as the central panel 28,but at the bottom is enlarged to provide a base structure 61 defined bycurved edges 68 that extend over into the recesses 4|. 'I'his plate 65is formed with an opening 69 in alignment with the magazine opening 54and on each side of the opening 69 and extending slightly thereabovecarries ribs 10. Extending above the ribs 10, the plate 65 is formedwith a pair of guide slots 1I.

The supporting arms for maintaining the casingy structure in an uprightposition on the work which is being stapled is not an actual part of thecasing structure, preferably being stampings that are attached thereto.A pair of such supporting arms are employed, one arm being shown inFigure 1 and designated 12. Each of these arms 12 is connected to one ofthe feet 62 in any approved manner, such as by employing fasteningelements, as shown at 13, that extend through the opening 63 in the feet62 and corresponding openings in the arms 12.

Penetrating anvils and associated guiding and operatinginstramentalities A highly important part of the mechanism associatedwith the penetrating anvils are the cam plates for guiding thepenetrating anvils in their movements. These plates are shown in Figs.to 15 inclusive and 18. One of these cam plates is designated 14, andthis cam plate is of a generally rectangular formation with the sideedges being received in the grooves 43 (Fig. 18) in the side walls 38 ofthe rear casing part I I.

At this point it is well to note that the side edges of the plate 14 areformed with notches 15 that are designed for alignment with thepassageways 39 and 4U in the side walls 3D so that when appropriatefastening elements are passed through these passages they are receivedin these notches to maintain the cam plate 14 in proper position. Thecam plate 14 is disposed at the rear of the machine, speaking withreference to the front wall I2.

Arranged forwardly of the plate 14 and in spaced relation with respectthereto is a front cam plate 16, the side edgesof which are received inthe grooves 42 (Fig. 18). This plate 16 is also formed with notches 15that align with the passages 39 and 46 so that the positioning of thefastening elements in these passages will serve to maintain the plate 16in proper position. To further insure that the plates 14 and 16 aremaintained in properly spaced relationship and also for causing theseparts to be assembled as a unit, spacing elements such as shown at 11(see Figure 10) may be employed.

The guide slotsl which are formed in the plates 14 and 16 for thepurpose of guiding the movements of the penetrating anvils areduplicated in each plate. Moreover the guide slot structure on the sideof each plate is duplicated on the other side of the same plate. Thus,it is deemed necessary to describe only the guide slot structure on oneside of one of the plates. Therefore, referring to Figure 15 it is notedthat the plate 16 is formed at the right-hand side with an inclined slot18 which extends from an upper point adjacent to the side edge to alower point adjacent to the center of the plate. This plate 16 is alsoformed with an outer anvil guide in the form of a slot dened by avertically extending substantially straight portion 19wthat blends inwith an arcuate portion 80. An inner cam guide takes the form of avertically extending portion 8I that is in substantial alignment withthe portion 19 of the outer cam guide, and which portion blends in withthe recess designated 82 that is defined by an upper arcuate wall 83 anda lower arcuate wall 84.

A p air of penetrating anvils are shown in each of Figures 13, 14, 16,and 17 and are designated and 86. These anvils are complemental to eachother, there being a right-hand and a left-hand anvil, and aside fromthis they are of duplicate construction. Thus, each of the anvils 85 and86 consists of a main body portion 81 which has integrally formedtherewith a crescent shaped penetrating tang 88. These anvils 85 and 86are disposed on the rear face of the rear plate 14 and each of the mainbody portions 81 carries a pair of guide pins, the outer guide pin beingdesignated 89, while the inner guide: pin is referred to by thereference character 90. The outer guide pin 89 extends through the outerguides 19--80 of the plates 14 and 16, While the inner guide pin 90extends through the inner guides 8|--82.

The front guide plate 16 is formed with a vertically extending centralslot 9| in which slidably operates a slide plunger 92 that is actuatedby the operating instrumentalities to be hereinafter described. The`plunger 92 is operatively connected with the penetrating anvils 85 and86 by a toggle arrangement, comprising a pair of links 93 that arepivotally connected at one end to the plunger 92 by an anchoring pinshown at 94. At their other extremities each of the links 93 ispivotally connected to a pin 95, the extremities of which are disposedin the slots 18. It will be noted that these links 93, as well as theother parts of the toggle arrangement, are disposed between the spacedplates 14 and 16. Also pivotally connected to the pins 95 are links 96.Each of the links 96 is pvotally connected at one end to the pin 95, andat its other end it is pivotally connected to the outer guide pin 89 ofthe respective penetrating anvil. It is notable that adjacent to theconnection of the guide pins 89 each of the links 96 is cut away, asshown at 91, to permit of operation of the links 96 into the dotted lineposition of Figure 12.

The position of the penetrating anvils 85 and 86, when the plunger 92 isin its upraised position, is depicted in Figure 12. A pair of actuatingsprings 98 and 99 have their upper extremities anchored to the plunger92 by the headed connecting pin shown at |00, while the otherextremities of the springs 98 and 99 are anchored to the openings 35 ofthe feet 32 of the casing part As the plunger 92 moves downwardly underthe influence of the springs 98 and 99, which movement takes place underextremely high velocity, the penetrating anvils 85 and 86 move from theposition shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figures 13, 14, 16and 17. As particularly brought out in Figures 16 and 17, the pointedtangs 88 will have pierced the material being stapled, the materialbein-g designated |0|. This movement of the penetrating anvils isaccurately described in the patent to Schafroth, above-identified, andmay be here briefly described by noting that each of the anvils 85 and86 turns about the inner guide pin 90 as a pivotal point, but this pivotpin is moving as it travels through the straight portion 8| of the innerguide and then over the arcuate surface 82 of the inner guide. Thus,upon rst engaging the material |0|, `the points-of the tangs 88 movesubstantially straight through the material to provide the penetratingeffects. However, as penetration is being effected, and after completionof penetration, they are swung over into the position shown in Figures16 and 17.

The upper end of the plunger 92 is formed with a tongue |02, and th-elower end of a chain |03 is pivotally connected to the tongue |02. Theother end of this chain |03 is pivotally anchored, as shown at |04 (seeFigure 27) toa tensioning cam |05. This cam |05 is formed with anarcuate surface |06 that is essentially semicircular in character aboutwhich the chain |03 is adapted to wrap. In this connection` it isnotable that the chain |03 is of the peculiar construction illustrated,providing side link members |01 that are adapted to extend over eachside face of the cam |05, thus insuring that the chain |03 assumes itsproper wrapped relationship about the cam |05.

This cam |05 is rotatably mounted on a shaft |08 that is tted at eachend in the openings 49 inthe ilanges 48 of the rear casing part l. Thecam |05 is formed with a detent for trigger mechanism, to be laterdescribed, in the form of a shoulder designated |09. The springs 98 and99 normally maintain the plunger 92 in a lowered position. However, uponengagement of the trigger mechanism, to be later described, with theshoulder |09, the cam |05 is rotated about the shaft |08 as its axis, towrap the chain |03 over the arcuate surface |06, thus raising theplunger 92 against the influence of the springs 98 and 99.

Upon release of the trigger mechanism the springs 98 and 99 move theplunger 92 downwardly under high Velocity to operate the penetratinganvils in the manner above described. Each of the cam plates 14 and 16,with the various slots, openings, and recesses therein, are made bystamping operations. These operations affect the metal of the plates toset up stresses and strains in the metal of the plates, and when thefront plate 16 is cut away at the top to provide the recess shown at 9in Figures 11, 13, 14 and 15, these stresses and strains would causeserious distortion of the plate. Accordingly, the stresses and strainsare controlled by the bracket 8 having an offset central portionextending over the recess 9, and feet 1 which are secured to the plate16 by fastening elements in the form oi rivets 6.

Staple guiding plate While the magazine for feeding the staples to themachine has not yet been described in detail it is noted at this pointthat the staple which is to be driven ordinarily assumes a positionwithin the casing that is determined by the magazine opening 54 in therear casing part and the corresponding opening 69 in the plate 65. Withthe penetrating anvils 85 and 86 in the positions depicted in either ofFigures 13, 14, 16 or 17, it is necessary that the staple movedownwardly over a path closely adjacent to the slots 19 and 8|, as wellas portions of the arcuate slots 80 and recesses 82. As the legs of thestaple are intended to be inserted in the openings formed by the tangs88 of the penetrating anvils the staple is in a position close to therear face of the rear plate 14. Thus without the use of the staple guideplate, to be hereinafter described, there is grave danger of the staplelegs catching on the edges of the slots to jam the machine.

Accordingly it is noted that the plate 14 is formed above the slots: 19with an elongated rectangularly shaped opening or slot I5 that isdisposed substantially centrally of the plate. A staple guide plate isdesignated ||6 and has a tongue ||1 struck from the upper portionthereof, and which tongue is inclined forwardly of the machine so thatit passes through the slot |5.

The guide plate 6 engages the rear face of the plate I4 and is adaptedto slide therealong, being guided in its movement by the engagement ofthe sides of the tongue II'I with the sides of the slot H5. The lguideplate H6 is formed at each side with edge anges H8 which are adapted tobe disposed exteriorly of the staple legs. These side anges arediscontinued a short distance from the bottom edge of the plate H6, andthe lower portion of the latter is cut away to provide downwardlyextending guide legs I9 that extend to the bottom of the plate 14. Theselegs H9 efiectively cause the spanning of the recesses 82 and and insureof the staple legs being guided fully up to the point where they enterthe openings formed by the penetrating anvils 85 and 86.

A coil spring |20 has its lower end anchored to the tongue III, as shownin Figure 14, while the upper end of this spring |20 is secured to a pin|2I that is carried by the plunger 92.

As the plunger 92 moves upwardly incident to tensioning of the springs98 and 99 which is caused by the cam |05 and associated cookingmechanism, the guide plate I6 is moved upwardly until the tongue |I'|engages the upper edge of the slot I I5. As this upward movement of theplunger is continued the guide plate ||6 remains stationary, the furthermovement of the plunger 92 being accommodated by the spring |20.

When the trigger mechanism is operated to release the cam |05, theplunger 92 moves downwardly, and during the initial movement thepenetrating anvils 85 and 86 are caused to operate in the manner abovedescribed. During this initial movement the guide plate I I6 will haveremained substantially stationary. However, when the lower end of theplunger 92 engages the tongue II'I, the guide plate H6 is positivelymoved into the lowermost position depicted in Figure 14 in which thevarious cam slots are completely covered, and affords a smooth path oftravel for the staple.

Staple driving mechanism As above pointed out, the position of thestaple in the machine is determined by the magazine openings 54 and 69.A staple which has passed through these openings and which is inposition to be driven is shown in Figure 13 and identied by thereference character |22, this staple being of the usual U-shapedformation providing the legs |23.

After the penetrating anvils have been operated to penetrate thematerial and assume the position shown in Figure 13, and the guide platehas been moved downwardly into this position, as illustrated, it becomesnecessary to drive the staple. To effect this operation a staple drivingblade |24 is availed of. This blade |24 has a lower edge |25 that issubstantially coextensive with the back of the staple and adapted toengage thereagainst.

At the upper end the driving blade |24 has connected thereto, preferablyintegrally, a wide base structure referred to in its entirety as |26.Struck from the structure |26, at each side, are a pair of guidingprojections |21 that are adapted to be received in the slots 'H in theplate 65. The lower end portion of the driving blade |24 is disposedbetween the flanges ||8 and the latter engage the ribs 'l0 and thisarrangement, together with the reception of the projections |2'I in theslots 1I, serves to guide the blade |24 during its upward and downwardmovements.

The base structure |26 is continued at each side and is deformed toprovide a pair of offset ears |28, each of which is formed with anopening |29 which constitutes an anchorage for a coil spring |30. It isnoted that there is a coil spring |30 at each side of the driving bladeassembly.

Reference is now had to Figures 25 and 26, which show in detail theconstruction of these coil springs, which provides for the adjustment ofthe tension thereof. At the upper end each of the coil springs |30 isprovided with a hook |3I which is received in the openings |29. At thelower end the coil spring |30 is securely anchored to an exteriorallythreaded connecting element |32, the threads of which receive the lowercoils of the spring.

This connecting element |32 is also interiorly threaded and screwedthereinto is a screw stem |33. The screw stem |33 passes through one ofthe openings 38 in the base of the rear casing 28 and is formed with ahead |34 that is provided with suitable means for tool engagement, suchas the slot shown at |35. It is evident that by availing of ascrew-driver the stem |33 may be rotated to vary the tension afforded bythe springs |30.

Referring now again more particularly to Figure 13, the base structure|26 is shown as being formed with a pair of spaced tongues |36 to eachof which is pivotally secured a chain |31. The chains |31 are ofduplicate construction, as are the tensioning means to which they areattached. Only one of these arrangements will, therefore, be heredescribed, as it will serve the purpose of this specification.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 27, the upper end of the chain|3'I is shown as being connected t0 a tensioning cam |38, as indicatedat |39. This cam |38 is substantially the same as the cam described inconnection with the penetrating anvil mechanism, and is rotatablymounted on the shaft |08, a spring I |0 serving to normally maintain thecam in the position shown in Figure 27 in which the driving blade |24 isin its lowered position.

This spring IIO has one end hooked over the cam |38, as shown at |40,while its other end is anchored to a shaft I2 by passing through anopening therein, as shown at |4I in Fig. 10. The cam |38 is also formedwith arecess |42 corresponding to the recess H3 in the cam |05 and witha trigger detent in the form of a shoulder |43 which corresponds to theshoulder |09 of the cam |05.

It is evident that with the cam |38 in the position shown in Figure 27,the driving blade I 24 will be in its lowered position. However, whenthe cooking and trigger mechanism to be hereinafter described isoperated, the cams |38 are swung into the positions depicted in Figure10, which operation serves to wrap the chains |31 about the arcuatesurfaces of the cams |38 to raise the driving blade |24 against theinfluence of the springs |30. At the same time the coil springs ||0will, of course, be tensioned.

When the trigger mechanism is released the springs |30 serve to move thedriving blade downwardly under high velocity so that the edge |25 of theblade |24 engages the back ofthestaple |22, to drive the same throughthe openings formed by the penetrating anvils 85 and 86 and clinch thelegs in the manner brought out in Figures 16 and 17.

Coclcing and trigger mechanism The cooking and trigger mechanism iscarried by a handle member referred to in its entirety by the referencecharacter H (Figs. 1, 2 and 10),

and which preferably takes the form of a casting corresponding inmaterial to the casing parts |9 and This member H is formed with sideWalls |44 which take the form of sectors of circles, and which aremaintained in spaced relationship and connected by an arcuate wall |45.

Each of the walls |44 is formed with a hub |46 having an opening |41which receives the 'shaft |98. It will be noted that .the hubs |46 aredisposed between the flanges 48 and in engagement with the innerfacesthereof. Each of the walls |44 is formed on its ,lower edge with anotch |48 that is adapted to receive the pin ||2 when a limit ofdownward movement of the handle has been reached.

`Beneath the hood structure dened by the sectors |44 and arcuate wall|45 these walls are continued to form a housing for the triggermechanism, and which housing is referred to generally by the referencecharacter |49; the housing itself being defined by a rear wall |59 andside walls |51. Extending rearwardly from the wall |59 is a channelmember |52 that opens on its underface. This channel member |52 isshaped to constitute the same an operating member, and the channelstructure is defined by side walls |53, a top wall |54, the inner end bythe wall |59, and an outer end structure |55. As shown in Figures 1 and2, the side walls |53 may be continued above the top wall |54 at theinner end to form supporting webs |56.

Pivotally mounted in the channel member |52, as on a pivot pin |51extending across the side walls |53, is a trigger lever |58. This lever|58 has its inner end reduced in size, as shown at 59, land this reducedportion |59 extends through an opening |69 formed in the wall |59 sothat it projects into the housing |49.

A pair of coil springs |6| are disposed on each side of the lever |58 atits inner end and are anchored at the lower end to a pin |62 thatengages the bottom of the lever |58. These springs |6| pass throughopenings in the top wall 54 and are secured to lan anchoring pin |63disposed thereabove. It is evident that these springs |6| normally exerta tendency maintaining the inner end |59 of the lever |58 in an upraisedposition.

At the outer' end the lever |58 carries a hand grip |64 which is adaptedto be engaged by the ngers of a person whose hand grasps the outer endof the member |52. By proper manipulation of the fingers it is evidentthat the outer end may be upraised to swing the lever |58 on the pin|51, to move the inner end |59 downwardly against the inuence of thesprings |6|.

The outer end of the lever arm |58 is formed with a recess |65 which isadapted to receive a detent |66. The detent |66 is formed on one end ofa pin |61 which passes through a passage |68 formed in the end structure|55. At the outer end the pin |61 carries an operating member in theform of a knurled head |69. EX- tending transversely to the passage |68is a recess |19 which houses a spring 1|.

The outer end of the spring |1| receives the shank of a head 229 andthis head 229 is yieldably received in one of the grooves |12 formed inthe pin |61. The inner edges of the grooves |12 are beveled or roundedoi, while the outer edges of the grooves are sharp. Thus the head 229may ride over the rib between the grooves |12, but movement of the pin|66 is more positively limited by the sharp end shoulders.

It is evident that the spring |1| and grooves |12 constitute a means foreither yieldably maintaining the detent |66 seated in the opening |65,or removed therefrom. With the detent |66 received in the opening |65,the lever |64 is held against movement; this mechanism constituting asafety catch which may be set when the machine is being moved around butnot actually operated.

The inner faces of each of the side walls |5| is formed with a groove|13, and these grooves |13 receive the side edges of a front retainingplate |14. The rear wall |59 is preferably lined with a frictionreducing plate ||4 that is formed with openings in alignment with theopenings |69 and 5 in wall |59.

Enclosed in the housing |49, between the retaining plate |14 and therear plate ||4, are the triggers for the penetrating anvils and stapledriving blade. The triggers for the staple driving blade are designatedand |16, and are disposed on each side of the central trigger |11 whichcontrols the operation of the penetrating anvils. It will be noted thatthe inner edge of each of the outer triggers |15 and |16 is formed withan elongated recess |18, and projecting into each of the recesses |18 isa lug |19 that projects from the side of the central trigger 11. It isnotable that each of the lugs |19 is smaller in extent than the recesses|18 so that they may move therein.

The central trigger |11 is formed with an opening |80 which receives thereduced inner end |59 of the lever |58, the latter projecting throughthe opening |69 and aligned opening in plate |4. Disposed beneath eachof the triggers |15 and |16 is a coil spring |8|, and these coil springsengage a bottom wall |82 which may be formed as an integral part of theretaining plate |14. To insure of proper positioning of the springs |8|the lower ends of each of the triggers |15 and |16, as well as theflange |82, may be formed with the seating recesses illustrated inFigures 21, 22 and 23.

These springs |8| normally serve to maintain the triggers |15 and |16 inan upraised position. Each of these triggers |15 and 16 may also beformed with a slot |83 in which is received a pin |84 that projectsinwardly from the rear plate ||4. The pin and slot arrangement |84 and|83 serves to limit movement of the triggers |15 and I Bearing in mindthat the plunger 92 is to be rst released for operating the penetratinganvils and moving the guide plate ||6 downwardly into effectiveposition, and that the trigger |11 engages the shoulder |99 of thetensioning cam |95, it is evident that the end of the trigger |11 mustbe removed from engagement with the shoulder |99 prior to release of thetriggers |15 and |16 from the shoulders |43.

Inasmuch as the springs 98 and 99 are powerful enough to generate therequired high velocity on the part of the plunger 92 the engagement ofthe end of the trigger |11 with the cam shoulder |99 occurs under greatpressure. Thus considerable frictional resistance must be overcome torelease the trigger end from the shoulder. Therefore, to render smootherand easier the pra-ctical operation of the machine the end of thetrigger |11 is bevelled at a slight angle so that it easily rides offthe shoulder |99, but yet properly performs its required holdingfunctions.

When the outer end of the lever |58 is rst moved upwardly the inner end|59 moves down- Wardly to move the trigger |11 downwardly, as isdepicted in Figure 22. During this initial downward movement the outertriggers |15 and |16 have been maintained in their upraised holdingposition by the springs |8| disposed therebeneath.

However, as this downward movement of the trigger |11 is continued, thelugs |19 engage the lower edges of the recess |18 to cause the triggers|15 and |16 to be moved downwardly with the central trigger |11, as isshown in Figure 23, thus discontinuing engagement of the triggers |15and |16 with the shoulders |43 and releasing the cams |38.

It is notable that the trigger |15 is formed with a slot |85 which is inalignment with a corresponding slot formed in the retaining plate |14,and these slots are in substantial alignment with the opening 5 in rearwall |50, and the corresponding opening in rear plate H4. A dog |86 ispivotally mounted on a pin |81 that is received in the opening 53 of thelug 52, and this dog extends through the slot |85 and the correspondingslot in the retaining plate |14 to engage the lower edge of the slot|85, the openings in the rear wall |50 and rear plate ||4 accommodatingthe pointed nose of the dog |86.

A coil spring is carried by the pin |81 and normally serves to maintainthe dog |86 in a depressed position, and this spring is designated |88.In this depressed position engagement of the dog |86 with the bottomedge of the slot |85 holds the entire handle assembly H against upwardmovement. However, when the outer end of lever |58 is moved upwardly bycompression of the fingers of the operator, the trigger |15 is moveddownwardly to lower the bottom edge f slot |85 from beneath the dog |86and release the handle H.

The mode of cocking the machine to tension the springs 98 and 99 for thepenetrating anvils and the springs |30 for the staple driving blade maybe briefly described by noting that prior to cocking the cams and |38will be in the position shown in Figure 27, and in which position theplunger 92 and the driving blade |24 are in their lowered positions. Theoperator grasps the handle |52 adjacent the outer end thereof andreleases the dog |86 from the lower edge of the slot |85 in the mannerabove described.

Upward movement is now given to the handle H and as it is continued theextremities of the triggers |15, |16 and |11 ride over the arcuatesurfaces of the cams |05 and |38, and these cam surfaces are effectiveto compress the springs I8| and stretch springs |6I. When the upwardmovement has been continued to the point where the ends of the triggersreach the shoulders |09 and |43, the springs |8| and |6| move thetriggers so that the extremities thereof engage the shoulders |09 and|43, and the clicking noise caused by this movement may be readily heardby the operator.

The handle |52 may now be depressed, and due to the engagement of theends of the triggers with the shoulders |09 and |43 the cams |05 and |38are rotated about the pin |08 to wrap the chains |03 and |31 over thearcuate surfaces 0f the cams, thus tensioning the springs in the manneralready described.

The lower limit of movement of the handle |52 will be determined by theengagement of the pin ||2 in the recess |48, and the dog |86 will engagethe bottom edge of the slot |85 to maintain this downward position ofthe handle |52. In this position the ngers of the operator may bepressed against the grip portion |64 at the outer end of the lever |58to release the triggers in the manner above described.

Magazine A base plate |89 is secured to the supporting flange 56 byfastening elements which pass through the openings 59, 60 and 6|. At oneside the base plate |89 is formed with an upstanding flange |90 throughwhich passes a pin I9 A dog |92 is pivotally mounted on the pin |9I, anda spring shown at |93 normally maintails this dog |92 in a depressedposition. Extending from the other side of the base plate |89 is an ear|94 which is turned over to provide a spaced top |95.

A pivot pin |96 extends between the ear |94 and its turned over top |95and also through an opening formed in a projection |91 that is dis'-posed between the parts |94 and |95. This projection |91 extendsoutwardly from the bottom wall |98 of a staple magazine which isreferred to in its entirety by the reference character M, shown inFigures 18 and 19.

It is evident that the structure just described provides for the pivotalmounting of the magazine M. On the side opposite from the projection |91the bottom wall |98 is continued to provide a retaining bar |99 which isadapted to have the dog |92 engage thereover. It is evident that withthe dog |92 engaging the retaining bar |99 the magazine M is held inposition depicted in Figure 18. However, when occasion demands the dog|92 may be upraised against the influence of the spring |93 and themagazine M swung around the pivot |96 as an axis.

The magazine M is deined by a top wall 200 that is formed with a slot20| that terminates at its outer end in the portion 202 extending normalthereto. Depending downwardly from the top 200 are side walls 203, andat the outer end the magazine is closed by an end wall 204. At the innerend there is another end wall 205 that is integral with the bottom wall|98.

Extending between the walls 204 and 205 are rods 206 about which aredisposed coil springs 201. These springs 201 engage against the outerend wall 204 at one end and the other end bears against a stapleactuating member 208. Ineluded as a part of the latter is an upwardlyextending operating member 209 that is pivotally mounted, as shown, onthe pin 2|0, which is a o part of the actuating member 208.

Carried by the inner end plate 205 and disposed thereover coextensivetherewith is a .plate 2|| formed with openings 2|2 for a purposeto-behereinafter pointed out. Each of the plates 205 and 2|| is cut away ateach side to provide side ,recesses 2|3, and at the top to provide arecess 2|4 (see Figure 20.) It is notable that the recesses 2|3 and 2|4.together define the formation of one of the staples |22.

Each of the side walls 203 carries a staple retaining plate 2|5 which isspaced therefrom a distance corresponding to the thickness of thestaple. It is notable that the upper edge of each of the staple,retaining `plates 2|5 is spaced from the top wall 200 a distancecorresponding to the thickness of a staple, this being represented at2|6. These retaining plates 2|5 may be secured to the side walls 203 byhaving their lower edges deformed and integrally connected to the sidewalls, as shown at 2|1.

When the magazine M is to be loaded .the dog |92 is raised upwardly andthe magazine swung about the pivot |96 into its outer position in whichthe inner end of the staple is free from the opening 54. The operatingmember 209 is availed. of to move .the actuating part 208 towards theouter end wall 204, thus compressing the springs 206. When the outerlimit of movement has been reached, the operating member 209 will be inalignment with the Islot 202, and due to the pivotal mounting of theoperating member may be swung over into this slot to retain theactuating member in this position.

A supply of staples, which .comprises a plurality of U-shaped staplesintegrally yconnected togetheruwin a manner well-known in the staplingart, is now inserted through the recesses 2|3 and 2|4 with the legs |23of the staples being received between the walls 203 and the retainingplates 2|5.

The magazine M is now swung into the -clcsed position depicted in Figure18 in which .the inner end projects through the openings 54 and 69 sothat the face of the plate 2|| is substantially ush with the inner `faceof the plate 65. The operati-ng member 209 is now swung out of `the slot202 into alignment with the slot 20| to render effective the springs 206against the actuating member 208. The latter bears against the staplesupply and forces .the same to be urged inwardly so that one staple isalways positioned between the plates 65 and 2| on one side, and thestaple guide plate ||6.

Under ordinary conditions the staple which is to be next 4driven by themachine will be maintained in this position, due to the integralconneotion of the staple with the staple supply. However, the laststaple of any supply st-rip will not be so supported and provision mustbe made for maintaining this staple in this upraised position, as it isimportant that n-o downward movemerit on the part of the staple takesplace until the penetrating anvils have been -operated and the stapleguide plate ||6 moved into its lowermost position. Accordingly theinvention provides the arrangement shown in Figure 24 for maintainingthis last staple in its properly upraised location within the machine.

It is noted that each of the rods 206 is mounted on the .end wall 205 bybeing received in an opening formed in this wall. The outer or rearextremity of each of the rods 206 is bored out to provide a recess 2|0,and la coil spring 2|9 is disposed in this recess. These springs 2|9bear against the outer end plate shown Ias part of end wall 204 andserve to urge the rods 206 inwardly.

The inner extremity of each of the rods 206 is `of a conical formationso that a staple may ride thereover, at the same time forcing the rodsinwardly against the influence of the springs 2|9. However, thesesprings 2|9 normally maintain the lconical points 22| of the rod 206 inposition protruding beyond the plate 2|| so that they are effective toyieldably maintain the staples in position. It is notable that the outerportions of the openings 2|2 are conically shaped and complemental tothe conical points 22| of the rods 206. Thus the pins are maintained inposition in `the manner illustrated.

Shock absorber mechanism A shock absorber plate is shown in Figures 10and 11 and is designated 222. This .plate 222 is disposed on the frontface of the cam plate '|6 and is held in position by the pin 2 l. theextremity of which engages the front face of .the plate 222. The lowerextremity of the shock absorber plate 222 is reduced in width, as shownat 223, so that it extends between the faces 36 of the feet 32.

With the lower edge of the reduced portion 223 of .the plate 222 flushwith the bottom face of th-e rear casing part Il, the reduced portion223 is continued up an appreciable distance above the feet 32, thusallowing for a certain amount of movement lon the .part of the shock`absorber plate 222, which will cause the lower edge thereof to projectbeyond the bottom of the machine. The side edges of the plate 222 bearagainst the inner faces of the side walls 30, and the edges of the plate222 may be cut away to provide recesses 224, which serves to reducefriction and precludes the possibility of .the fastening pins 5|interfering with movement of the plate.

When the machine is put in use the bottom of the machine rests on thematerial which is being stapled. Thus the bottom edge of the part 223 ofthe plate 222 rests on this material. When the trigger I is operated torelease the cam |05, lthe plunger 92 moves downwardly under the inuenceof the springs 98 and 99, to drive the penetrating anvils and 26 andmove the staple guide plate ||6 downwardly in the manner alreadydiscussed.

However, as the plunger 92 reaches its lower limit of movement the loweredge thereof engages the upper edge of the plate 222 and drives thebottom edge of the plate into the material |0I, thus compressing thesame and rendering it readily adaptable to having Ithe staples |22clinched therein. This engagement of the plate 222 with the materialbeing stapled functions as a shock absorber so far as the .plunger 92 isconcerned. Thus the likelihood of the cam |05 overriding or rocking,which might be accompanied .by buckling of the chain |03, is greatlyreduced. Hence this cam is not provided with one of the spring-scorresponding to springs ||0. However, the cams |38 for the staple`driving blade must be so equipped to prevent this rocking oroverriding.

Operation Before entering into a discussion of the operation of themachine above described, it is noted that when the plates '|4 and '|6are rst assembled in the grooves 42 and 43, fastening pins 225 arepassed through the passageway 40 and the notches l5 in alignmenttherewith. These pins serve to accurately position the plates T4 and 'I6with respect to the casing part I. When the front casing part |0 isassembled on the casing part the faces serve to close the passages 40,thus retaining the pins 225 in position.

It is also notable that `the shafts |08 and ||2, which have their endsreceived in the openings 49 and 50, are retained in their assembledrelationship due to the legs 24 snugly engaging the exterior of theflanges 48.

While the Inode of operation of each of the above described parts hasbeen explained, a comprehensive description of the operation of themachine is hereinafter set forth.

A proper supply of staples |22 is first placed in the magazine M in themanner above described, and the magazine swung into its closed positionin which its inner end projects through the openings 54 and 69. Duringloading of the magazine and other handling of the machine it isdesirable that the safety catch comprising recess |65 and pin IBB be setto prevent accidental operation of the trigger. i

When the operating member 209 is moved out of the slot 202 intoalignment with the slot 20| the machine is ready for use, that is if thesafety catch |65 and |66 is released. The operator now grasps the handle23 and places the machine on the cardboard carton or other work which isto be stapled. The indicating ribs 3| indicate to the operator the lineon which the staple will be driven, while the indicating rib |4indicates the center point of the staple. Thus the operator mayaccurately drive the staples at a required location.

With the machine properly positioned the operator grasps the handle |52and releases the dog |86 from the bottom edge of slot |85, after whichhe raises the handle upwardly until he hears the click of the ends ofthe triggers |15, |16 and |11 engaging the shoulders |09 and |43. 'I'hehandle is now moved downwardly, and due to the engagement of thetriggers with the shoulders on the cams the latter are swung on theshaft |08 as an axis to raise the chains |03 and |31 and wrap them aboutthe arcuate surfaces of the cams whereby the plunger 92 is raisedagainst the influence of the springs 98 and 99, while the staple drivingblade |24 is raised against the inuence of the springs |30.

It will be remembered that this upward movement of the plunger 92 causesa corresponding upward movement of the staple guiding plate IIS.

The operator now compresses his fingers against the hand grip |64 tomove the outer end of the lever |58 upwardly, thus depressing the innerend. As the inner end of the lever is depressed the trigger |11 is firstreleased from the shoulder |09, thereby releasing the cam |05 so thatthe plunger 92 is moved downwardly under the influence of the springs 98and 99 at a high velocity.

This movement of the plunger operates the penetrating anvils and movesthe staple guiding plate H6 into its lowered position covering the camgrooves on the plate 14. Further compression of the hand grip |64 on thelever |58 causes the triggers |15 and |16 to be released from theshoulders |43, thereby releasing the cams |38 to permit the stapledriving blade |24 to be driven under the influence of the springs |30.

It is to be remembered that prior to this driving of the staple drivingblade 24 the plunger 92 will have struck the shock absorber plate 222 tocompress the material and render the same susceptible to having thestaple clinched therein.

As the staple driving blade |24 comes downwardly it strikes against thestaple |22 which is positioned within the plates 2| l and 65, and afterthe blade has been retracted into its upper position in the manner abovedescribed the springs 206 affect the staple supply to bring a freshstaple into position into which it may be driven.

It is to be remembered that when the last staple of any supply strip hasbeen reached the pointed ends 22| of the pins 220 will serve to properlyhold this staple in position until it is struck by the staple drivingblade.

While preferred specic embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore Setforth it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to belimited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, becausevarious modications of these details may be provided in putting theinvention into practice within the purview of the. appended claims.

I claim:

zozo-:geve

1. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils mounted for operative movement, cam means associatedwith the anvils for guiding them in their operative movement, stapledriving means for driving a staple onto the said anvils, and movablemeans for guiding said staple and protecting it from contact with saidcam means during movement.

2. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, means associated with the penetrating anvils forguiding the operative movement thereof, operating instrumentalities forthe penetrating anvils, staple driving means for driving a staple ontosaid anvils, and movable means for guiding said staple and protecting itfrom contact with the said guiding means, said staple guide plate beingactuated by the operating instrumentalities for the penetrating anvils.

3. In a stapling machine of the character described, a penetratinganvil, a cam plate formed with cam grooves for guiding movement of thepenetrating anvil, operating instrumentalities for actuating saidpenetrating anvil, staple driving means for driving a staple onto saidanvil, and a staple guide plate movable over said cam plate andoperatively connected to the said operating instrumentalities, saidstaple guide plate being interposed between said staple and said camplate as the staple is being driven.

4. In a stapling machine of the character described, a penetratinganvil, a cam plate formed With cam grooves for guiding movement of thepenetrating anvil, operating instrumentalities for actuating saidpenetrating anvil, staple driving means for driving a staple onto saidanvil, a staple guide plate interposed between said staple and said camplate as the staple is being driven, and a lost motion connectionbetween said staple guide plate and the said operatinginstrumentalities.

5. In a stapling machine of the character described, a penetratinganvil, a pair of spaced cam plates formed with cam grooves for guidingthe anvil during operative movement, a plunger slidably mounted on oneof said cam plates, linkage between said plunger and said anvil, stapledriving means, and a staple guide plate movable over one of said camplates and operatively connected to said plunger.

6. In a stapling machine of the character der scribed, a penetratinganvil, a guide plate formed with cam grooves for guiding operativemovement of said anvil, a plunger slidably carried by said plate,linkage between said plunger and said anvil, a staple guiding plateslidable over said plate, and means for operatively connecting saidstaple guide plate to the plunger with a lost motion connection.

1. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, inner and outer guide pins on each of thepenetrating anvils, a cam plate, said plate having a pair of outerguides receiving the outer guide pins, and a pair of inner guidesreceiving the inner guide pins, said plate at each side also beingformed with inclined slots, a plunger slidably carried by said plate, apair of links pivotally connected to said plunger, a pin slidablyreceived in each of said inclined slots, one of said links beingconnected to one of said pins, while the other of said links isconnected to the other of said pins, and links connecting the said pinsin the slots to the outer guide pins on the penetrating anvils.

8. In a stapling machine of the character described, an anvil, an outerguide pin` on said anvil, an inner guide pin on said anvil, a cam plateformed with an outer guide receiving the outer guide pin, and an innerguide receiving the inner guide pin, a plunger slidably carried by thesaid plate, and a toggle joint operatively connecting said plunger withsaid penetrating anvil.

9. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin on each of said anvils, an innerguide pin on each of said anvils, a cam plate formed with outer guidesreceiving the outer guide pins, and inner guides receiving the innerguide pins, a plunger slidably carried by the said plate, and a pair ofcomplete toggle joints connecting said plunger to the said anvils, therebeing a toggle joint between the outer guide pin of each anvil and thesaid plunger.

10. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin carried by each of saidpenetrating anvils and an inner guide pin carried by each of saidpenetrating anvils, a pair of spaced plates, said plates being formedwith aligned outer guide slots receiving the outer guide pins and innerguide slots receiving the inner guide pins, a plunger slidably carriedby one of said plates, and a toggle arrangement disposed between saidplates and operatively connecting said plunger to the outer guide pins.

11. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin carried by each of saidpenetrating anvils and an inner guide pin carried by each of saidpenetrating anvils, a pair of spaced plates, said plates being formedwith aligned outer guide slots receiving the outer guide pins and innerguide slots receiving the inner guide pins, a plunger slidably carriedby one of said plates, and a toggle arrangement disposed between saidplates operatively connecting the plunger to the outer guide pins, saidtoggle arrangement including pins that are slidably received in guideslots formed in the plates.

12. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin carried by each of saidpenetrating anvils and an inner guide pin carried by each of saidpenetrating anvils, a pair of spaced plates, said plates being formedwith aligned outer guide slots receiving the outer guide pins and innerguide slots receiving the inner guide pins, the said anvils beingdisposed on the outer side of one of said plates for sliding movementthereover, a plunger slidably carried by the other of said plates,linkage disposed between said plates and operatively connecting saidplunger to the outer guide pins, a staple guide plate slidably carriedon the outer face of the same plate over which the anvils slide, and aconnection between said staple guide plate and the said plunger.

13. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, a pair of spaced plates, cooperating guide means onsaid anvils and plates respectively, the said anvils being mounted forsliding movement on the outer face of one of said plates, aplungerslidably carried by the other of said plates, linkage disposedbetween said plates and operatively connecting said plunger to thepenetrating anvils, the said plate on which the anvils slide beingformed with a slot, a staple guide plate slidably carried on the outerface of said last mentioned guide plate and having a tongue extendingthrough said slot, and means for operatively connecting said tongue tothe plunger.

14. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, a pair of spaced plates, cooperating guide means onsaid anvils and plates respectively, the said anvils being mounted forsliding movement on the outer face of one of said plates, a plungerslidably carried by the other of said plates, linkage disposed betweensaid plates and operatively connecting said plunger to the penetratinganvils, the said plate on which the anvils slide being formed with aslot, and a staple guide plate having side ilanges adapted to engage thelegs of a staple, said guide plate being slidably disposed on the outerface of the plate over which the anvils slide, a tongue on said guideplate extending through said slot, and a spring connecting said tongueto the said plunger.

15. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin on each of said penetratinganvils, and an inner guide pin on each of said penetrating anvils, apair of spaced plates formed with outer guides receiving the outer guidepins and inner guides receiving the inner guide pins, the said anvilsbeing slidably carried on the outer face of one of said plates, aplunger carried by one of said plates, linkage operatively connectingthe plunger to the penetrating anvils, and a guide plate operativelyconnected to the plunger and slidable over the outer face of the plateon which the anvils are disposed, said plate being movable into aposition completely covering the central portion of said guides.

16. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin on each of said penetratinganvils, and

an inner guide pin on each of said penetrating anvils, a pair of spacedplates formed with outer guides receiving the outer guide pins and innerguides receiving the inner guide pins, the said anvils being slidablycarried on the outer face of one of said plates, a plunger carried byone of said plates, linkage operatively connecting the plunger to thepenetrating anvils, and a guide plate operatively connected to theplunger and slidable over the outer face of the plate on which theanvils are disposed, said plate being formed with side flanges, and legsthat extend to the bottom edge of the plate when the guide plate is instaple guiding position.

17. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, an outer guide pin on each of said penetratinganvils, and an inner guide pin on each of said penetrating anvils, apair of spaced plates formed with outer guides receiving the outer guidepins and inner guides receiving the inner guide pins, the said anvilsbeing slidably carried on the outer face of one of said plates, aplunger carried by one of said plates, linkage operatively connectingthe plunger to the penetrating anvils, a guide plate slidably disposedon the outer face of the plate on which the anvils slide, and means formoving said guide plate in synchrony with movement of said anvilswhereby said anvils are first operated to pierce the material and assumetheir effective position after which the guide plate is moved intoposition covering that portion of the guides over which a staple travelsas it is being driven.

18. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, guide pins carried by the penetrating anvils, a camplate having guide slots receiving the guide pins on the penetratinganvils, the said anvils being slidably carried on one face of the plate,operating instrumentalities for actuating the penetrating anvils, aguide plate slidably disposed on the same face of the plate as that overwhich the anvils slide, and means for moving said guide plate insynchrony with the penetrating anvils whereby the penetrating anvils arerst actuated to pierce the material being stapled and assume theireffective position after which the guide plate is moved into positioncovering that portion of the guide slots over which the staple travelsas it is being driven onto the anvils.

19. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, guide pins carried by said penetrating anvils, aplate formed with guide slots receiving the said guide pins, the saidpenetrating anvils being slidably disposed on one face of said plate,operating instrumentalities for the penetrating anvils, a staple guideplate slidable over the same face of the plate over which the anvilsslide, means for moving said guide plate, a staple driving blade, andoperating instrumentalities for said staple driving blade, the operatinginstrumentalities for the penetrating anvils, the means for moving theguide plate, and the operating instrumentalities for the staple drivingblade being synchronized so that the penetrating anvils are rst operatedto pierce the material being stapled and assume their effectivepositions, after which the guide plate is moved into position coveringthat portion of the guide slots over which the staple travels and afterwhich the staple driving blade is actuated to drive the staple.

20. In a stapling machine including a penetrating anvil and a stapledriving blade, instrumentalities for operating said anvil and drivingblade in synchrony comprising spring actuated means associated With theanvil, spring actuated means associated with the driving blade, a cam;for tensioning the spring actuated means for the anvil, a cam fortensioning the spring actuated means for the driving blade, means formoving said cams to tension the said spring actuating means, and triggermechanism, associated with said last mentioned means, said triggermechanism including a trigger for each of said cams, and operating meansfor releasing said triggers in predetermined sequential order.

21. In a stapling machine including a pair of penetrating anvils and astaple driving blade, instrumentalities for operating said penetratinganvils and driving blade in synchrony comprising spring actuating meansfor the anvils, spring actuating means for the driving blade, apivotally mounted tensioning cam. for the actuated means for the anvils,another pivotally mounted cam for tensioning the spring actuating meansfor the blades, each of said cams being formed with a detent, apivotally mounted operating handle, trigger mechanism carried by saidhandle and adapted for engagement with said detents in the cams, and atrigger lever operatively connected to said trigger mechanism andcarried by said handle.

22. In a stapling machine including a pair of penetrating anvils and astaple driving blade, instrumentalities for operating said penetratinganvils and driving blade in synchrony comprising spring actuating meansfor the anvils, spring actuating means for the driving blade, apivotally mounted tensioning cam for the actuated means for the anvils,another pivotally mounted cam for tensioning the spring actuating meansfor the blades, each of said cams being formed with a detent, apivotally mounted operating handle, trigger mechanism carried by saidhandle and adapted for engagement with said detents in the cams, saidhandle being movable to cause engagement of the trigger mechanism withthe detents and further operative tol rotate said cams to tension thespring actuating means, means for holding said handle in position inwhich the actuating means are tensioned, and a trigger lever carried bysaid handle for operating said trigger mechanism to release said cams inproper sequential order.

23. Trigger mechanism for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a trigger for controlling the operation of penetratinganvils, a trigger for controlling the operation of a staple drivingblade, and a lost motion connection between said triggers.

24. Trigger mechanism for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a trigger for controlling the operation of penetratinganvils, a trigger for controlling the operation of a staple drivingblade, a trigger lever operatively connected to one of said triggers, alost motion connection between said trigger and the other of saidtriggers, and means for yieldably maintaining said triggers in holdingposition.

25. Trigger mechanism for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a central trigger, a trigger on each side of said centraltrigger, there being a recess in each of said side triggers, and aprojection at each side of said central trigger extending into therecess on the respective side, the said projection being smaller thansaid recess whereby a lost motion connection between said centraltrigger and the side triggers is established, and means for actuatingsaid central trigger which also constitutes a means for actuating saidside triggers through said lost motion connection.

26. rTrigger mechanism for a stapling machine of the'character describedcomprising a central trigger adapted to control the operation ofpenetrating anvils, triggers disposed on each side of said centraltrigger for controlling the operation of a driving blade, means forestablishing a lost motion connection between said central trigger andsaid side triggers, a trigger lever operatively connected to saidcentral trigger, and spring means for yieldably maintaining each of saidtriggers in holding position.

27. Trigger mechanism for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a handle formed with a trigger housing, trigger mechanism insaid housing, a trigger lever carried by said handle operativelyconnected to said trigger mechanism, and a safety catch carried by saidhandle adapted to be positioned to hold said trigger lever againstmovement, but which may be released to permit operation of said triggerlever.

28. Trigger mechanism for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a handle formed with a trigger housing, a trigger leverpivotally carried by said handle and having one end extending into saidhousing, spring means associated with said handle for yieldablymaintaining the same in one position, a trigger in said housingoperatively connected to the inner end of said trigger handle, triggerson each side of said rst mentioned trigger, and spring means associatedwith said last mentioned trigger for maintaining the same in a holdingposition.

29. A stapling machine of the character described comprising a casing,staple driving mechanism in said casing including a spring, a handlepivotally carried by said casing and operable to tension said spring,trigger mechanism housed in said handle for controlling the operation ofsaid mechanism Within the casing, and cooperating means on said casingand handle respectively for holding said handle in position in whichsaid spring is tensioned.

30. A stapling machine of the character described comprising a casing,penetrating anvils, and a stap-le driving blade together With associatedoperative mechanism being housed in said casing, a handle pivotallycarried by said casing, trigger mechanism housed in said handle forcontrolling the operation of the penetrating anvils and staple drivingblade, said trigger mechanism including a trigger formed with a slot anda dog carried by the casing adapted to engage the lower edge of the slotin the said trigger to hold the handle in a set position, said triggerbeing operable to release `the dog to permit of pivotal movement of thehandle.

3l. Trigger mechanism for a stapling machine oi the character describedcomprising a trigger for controlling operation of the penetratinganvils, a trigger for controlling operation of a staple driving blade,means for yieldably maintaining said triggers in holding position, meansfor limiting movement of said triggers, and a trigger lever operativelyconnected to said triggers, there being a lost motion connection betweensaid triggers.

32. In a stapling machine oi the character described, a staple drivingblade, spring actuating means for causing operation of said drivingblade, a cam for tensioning said spring actuating means, and springmeans associated with said cam for holding said cam against overrunningor rocking which might be caused b-y operation of the a-ctuating means.

33. In a stapling machine of the character described, a staple drivingblade, spring actuating means for said staple driving blade, a pair ofcams spaced apart, pivotally mounted and connected to said drivingblade, said cams being rotatable to tension the spring actuating means,and spring means associated with each of said cams for holding the sameagainst overrunning or rocking movement which might be caused byoperation of the driving blade.

34. In a stapling machine of the character described, a staple drivingblade, spring actuating means for the staple driving blade, a pivotallymounted cam having an arcuate surface, a chain connected at one end tosaid driving blade and at the other to said cam and adapted to Wraparound said arcuate surface as an incident to actuation of the cam, andmeans for rotating said cam` to wrap the chain thereabout to tension thespring actuating means.

35. In a stapling machine including a pair of penetrating anvils, a`staple driving blade, spring actuating means for the penetrating anvils,and spring actuating means for the driving blade, mechanism fortensioning said spring actuating means comprising a cam pivotallymounted and connected to said penetrating anvils by a chain, and a pairof cams rotatably mounted coaxially With the nrst mentioned cam andoperatively connected to the driving blade by a pair of chains, andmeans for rotating said cams to cause the chains to be Wrappedthereabout to tension the respective spring actuating means.

36. In a stapling machine of the character described, penetrating andclinching anvil means,

anvil driving means, supporting means for said anvil means and saiddriving means, and cushioning means movable with respect to saidsupporting means and adapted to absorb part of the shock of said anvildriving means.

37. In a stapling machine of the character described, penetrating andclinching anvil means, anvil driving means, supporting means for saidanvil means and said driving means, and cushioning means movable withrespect to said supporting means and adapted to transmit part of theshock oi said driving means to an article being stapled whereby part ofthe shock is absorbed by the said article being stapled.

38. In a stapling machine of the character described, penetrating andclinching anvil means, anvil driving means, staple driving means,supporting means for said anvil means, anvil driving means and stapledriving means, and cushioning means movable With respect to saidsupporting means and adapted to transmit part of the shock of said anvilmeans to an article being stapled immediately prior to operation of saidstaple driving means.

39. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils adapted to pierce material being stapled, operatinginstrumentalities for the anvils including a plunger, a shock absorberplate having an edge adapted to engage the material being stapled, andanother edge adapted for engagement by the said plunger to transmitshocks and jars to the said material being stapled, and means forguiding and limiting movement of said shock absorber plate.

40. In a stapling machine ofthe character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, operating instrumentalities for the penetratinganvils, a staple driving blade, operating instrumentalities for thestaple driving blade, and a magazine for supplying staples which are tobe operated upon by the machine, said magazines including means foryieldably holding a staple in position for engagement by said stapledriving Iblade during operation of the penetrating anvils and prior tooperation of said driving blade.

41. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, operating instrumentalities for the penetratinganvils, a staple driving blade, operating instrumentalities for thestaple driving blade, and a magazine for supplying staples Which are tobe operated upon by the machine, said magazines including means foryieldably holding a staple in position for engagement by said stapledriving blade during operation of the penetrating anvils and prior tooperation of said driving blade, said means consisting of deflectableelements disposed in the path of travel of said staple driving blade.

42. In a stapling machine of the character described, a pair ofpenetrating anvils, operating instrumentalities for the penetratinganvils, a staple driving blade, operating instrumentalities for thestaple driving blade, and a magazine for supplying staples which are tovbe operated upon by the machine, said magazines including means foryieldably holding a staple in position for engagement by said stapledriving blade during operation of the penetrating anvils and prior tooperation of said driving blade, said means consisting of spaced rodshaving conical points disposed in` the path of travel of the stapledriving blade, and springs yieldably maintaining said rods in suchposition.

43. A magazine for a stapling machine oi the character describedcomprising a casing, a pair of rods disposed in said casing spaced apartand extending lengthwise thereof, each of said rods being formed with arecess at its outer end, and a spring in each of said recesses, theinner end of each of said rods being of a pointed conical formation,said casing being formed with truncated conical openings receiving saidconical points, said springs maintaining the points in said openings.

44. A magazine for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a casing defined by side Walls, a top wall, and inner andouter end walls, a staple retaining plate carried by each of said sidewalls on the inner face thereof and in offset relation with respectthereto, the upper edge of each of said guide plates being spaced fromthe top wall of the casing, the inner end wall of the casing beingformed with a recess extending across the top immediately beneath thetop wall of the casing, a recess at each side in communication with therecess at the top, said recesses in the end wall substantially defininga staple formation, and means in said casing for urging a supply ofstaples therein towards the inner end.

45. A magazine for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a casing defined by side walls, a top wall, and inner andouter end walls and a bottom wall, means carried by said bottom wall forpivotally mounting the magazine on the stapling machine, means carriedby said bottom wall for cooperating with holding means on a staplingmachine for maintaining the magazine in staple delivering position, saidholding means being movable into non-holding position, and means in saidcasing for urging a supply of staples towards the inner end thereof.

46. A magazine for a stapling machine of the character describedcomprising a casing defined by side walls, `a top wall, and inner andouter end walls, a staple retaining plate carried by each of said sidewalls on the inner face thereof and in offset relation with respectthereto, the upper edge of' each of said. guide plates being spaced fromthe top Wall of the casing, the inner end wall of the casing beingformed with a recess extending across the top immediately beneath thetop wall of the casing, a recess at each side in communication with therecess at the top, said recesses in the end wall substantially defininga staple formation, said top wall being formed with an elongated slotterminating at the outer end in an oiTset portion, a staple actuatingmember operatively mounted within the casing and adapted to engage asupply of staples, spring means interposed between the outer end walland said staple actuating member, and an operating member for saidstaple actuating member pivotally carried by said actuating member andextending through the said slot in the top wall.

47. A stapling machine of the character described comprisinginstrumentalities for driving and clinching a staple, a casing enclosingand concealing said instrumentalities, an indicator carried by saidcasing for indicating the center vof a staple which is to be driven bysaid instrumentalities, and additional indicators on the casing forindicating the line on which said staple member will be driven.

48. A casing for a stapling machine comprising a front pant having afront wall, an overhanging top structure, and legs depending from thetop structure that are spaced from the front Wall, and a rear casingpart having faces adapted to be engaged by said legs and interlockingStrilC- ture at |the bottom of said front and rear parts for preventingrelative sidewise movements of said parts.

49. A casing for a stapling machine comprising a front part having afront wall, a canopy structure at the top, and spaced legs dependingfrom the canopy structure in spaced relation with respect to said frontwall, and a rear part defined by a central portion, side walls andspaced flanges at the top that are engaged and enclosed between saidlegs on the front casing part, and interlocking structure at the bottomof said front and rear casing parts.

50. A casing for a stapling machine comprising a iront part having afront wall, a canopy structure at the top, and spaced legs dependingfrom the canopy structure in spaced relation with respect to said frontWall, and a rear part defined by a central portion, side walls andspaced flanges at the top that are engaged and enclosed between saidlegs on the front casing part, and indicia on said casing parts forindicating the line on which a staple will be driven by the mechanismwithin the casing and the center point of such driven staple.

l. A casing for a stapling machine comprising one casing part dened by afront wall, a bottom wall having a rearwardly extending reduced portion,a canopy at the top, and spaced legs depending from the canopy andhaving inner edges spaced from the front wall and the rear casing partdefined by a central panel that is connected to side walls at each sideby U-shaped bend portions, feet carried by the side walls at the bottomengaging the reduced portion of the bottom wall of the front casingpart, and flanges carried by said U-shaped bend portions at the topdisposed between and engaging the said legs on the front casing part.

52. A casing for a stapling machine comprising one casing part dened bya front wall, a bottom wall having a rearwardly extending reducedportion, a canopy at the top, and spaced legs depending from :the canopyand having inner edges spaced from the front wall, and a rear casingpart defined by a central panel that is connected to side walls at eachside by U-shaped bend portions, feet carried by the side walls at thebottom engaging the reduced portion of the bottom wall of the frontcasing part, flanges carried by said U-shaped bend portions at the topdisposed between and engaging the said legs on the front casing part,and flanges on said rear casing part being formed with aligned openingsbeing adapted to receive a pivot pin, and which openings are closed bythe legs on said front casing part.

53. A casing for a stapling machine comprising a front part having afront wall, an overhanging top structure, legs depending from the topstructure that are spaced from the front wall, and a rear casing parthaving faces adapted to be engaged by said legs and interlockingstructure at the bottom of said front and rear parts for preventingrelative sidewise movements of said parts, said front and rear casingparts being formed with aligned openings and fastening elementsextending through said aligned openings to maintain the parts inassembled relationship.

54. A casing structure for a stapling machine comprising a front casingpart, a rear casing part detachably interlocked with the front casingpart and including side walls, said side walls being formed with groovesfor receiving the edges of plates constituting parts of stapling machinemechanism that is to be housed within the cas-

